Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jun 12: As coronavirus infection has become all pervasive, the government has imposed lockdown. It has also banned movement of people between different places, and prescribed that no more than five persons can attend the funerals. As such, the people of the twin-districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi have been relying on the live streaming of the funeral to get the last glimpses of their near and dear ones who have passed away.

Middle class families rely on Facebook and other social websites for the live streaming. Those who are well off are using the local news websites for the live streaming of the funerals.

 
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A journalism student of St Aloysius College here and also a photographer, said that three funerals in Kinnigoli last month had been streamed live. He said that some people use their mobile phones for the live streaming while some others use the services of the videographers.

The photographers and videographers were facing a lot of problems as the government banned big functions through the lockdown. Now they have something to cheer for as they might get busy now. Photographers who undertake live streaming of funerals are paid around Rs 1,500. If a video camera is used, they get an additional sum of one thousand rupees. Local channels charge Rs 20,000 for this service, it is gathered.

A professional photographer expressed the opinion that this trend is more in vogue among the Christians. The trend got further impetus during the second wave of coronavirus, he opines. Family members living abroad can also take part in the funerals if live streaming is arranged. Moreover, people usually are ready for this arrangement as it costs less and covers many people.